The first project under the Department of Health’s (DH) practice-based commissioning (PBC) development support framework began work last Thursday (26 February 2009) in NHS Brent PCT.
The PBC framework facilitates PCTs’ investment in developing frontline clinical and managerial NHS skills and knowledge to boost commissioning among GPs, whose decisions – alongside patients’ choices – deploy the majority of NHS resources.
The DH is providing £1m to pump-prime use of the framework to support the development of PBC locally in the English NHS.
Health communities (SHAs, PCTs and PBC groups) can also use the framework and the providers on it to secure support for PBC development in their areas, funded through their own resources.
NHS Brent was selected by NHS London as the PCT to benefit from pump-priming funding to work with the partnership of NHS Alliance and Humana, supported by Dr Foster Intelligence – one of five groups appointed to the framework by the DH.
Julie Wood, NHS Alliance National PBC Federation Director, said: ”This is fantastic news, and means we can now start working in earnest with the local health community across Brent to really support them to take full advantage of PBC for their population”.
GPs Dr Carole Amobi and Dr Manish Prasad GP, joint chairs of NHS Brent Professional Executive Committee, said: “We’re excited about upskilling our clinicians and managers together. Our focus is always on getting the best patient care for our population, and we’re sure PBC will be a vital tool to help us deliver that”.
